If you’re looking for the fastest way to clear a lawn of fallen leaves and other debris, backpack blowers are the way to go. They’re the most powerful blower you can get without using a walk-behind model.
With yard equipment, “powerful” can often mean bulky or heavy. That’s not the case with modern backpack blowers. They’re specially designed to pack a lot of power into a manageable size. Cushioned backpack designs help distribute weight comfortably across the operator’s shoulders. This makes backpack blowers powerful, portable, and easy to use.
Why Choose Backpack?
Backpack blowers are more expensive than handheld blowers, which can initially make the smaller blowers more attractive to buyers. However, the backpack blowers are much more powerful, which means they clear yards faster. They’re also easier to use because the blower’s weight is distributed across your back and shoulders.
If you’ll be using the blower for long periods of time or have large areas to clear, you can save time and make it easier on your arms by investing in a backpack blower. They’re a great choice for commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance companies. They’re also good for homeowners with large yards.
Another good thing about backpack blowers is that you don’t have to set them down if you need to stop blowing for just a few minutes. This makes working through a yard faster since you can just let go of the nozzle and move obstacles in the yard, like a grill or children’s toys, then go right back to work.
A Note on Power Source and Noise
Most backpack blowers are powered by gasoline engines. Depending on the brand you choose, you likely won’t have the option to go with a quiet, emission-free, battery-powered blower. The good news is that even though large blowers typically have higher fuel emissions, clean-air models are becoming standard for certain brands.
Backpack blowers are also noisier than handheld models. If you’re working in a noise-restricted neighborhood, a backpack blower might not be a good fit. However, there are some backpack blowers designed for quiet operation. When you’re purchasing a blower, the manufacturer should specify the expected decibel level when operating the blower. Check those specs on each blower before purchase if noise is a consideration in your area.
Features to Look For
Blowers offer a couple of different nozzle types. Flat nozzles are good for sweeping up loose leaves. Rounded nozzles are better for loosening leaves that are sticking to the lawn. Some blowers just come with one nozzle option, while others offer you the choice to switch out different nozzles to match your yard clean-up tasks. Keep this in mind when picking out a backpack blower.
Look for backpack blowers with a convenient top-carry handle, especially if you’re a professional who is going to be moving the blower in and out of vehicles. Other desirable features include a translucent gas tank, easy access to the primer bulb and fuel spout, and a ledge where you can place your foot to steady the blower when starting it.
How Much Do Backpack Blowers Weigh?
A large backpack blower can weigh up to 30 pounds. That’s a lot to carry around all day, depending on your fitness level or how much practice you have using a backpack blower. There are lighter models, though. Also, many top brands pay careful attention to providing adjustable and padded harnesses to make it easier for operators to carry the weight of the blowers.
Let’s use STIHL as an example. Their lightest blower, the BR 430 only weighs 21.6 pounds and has a powerful, fuel-efficient, low-emission engine. STIHL’s largest, most powerful blower is the BR 800 MAGNUM®. It weighs 25.8 pounds. An anti-vibration system, adjustable harness, and easy-to-access controls make this blower comfortable to use even with the larger size.
Brand Options
Richardson Saw and Lawnmower carries some of the highest quality backpack blowers on the market. Blowers from Stihl, Redmax, Echo, and Shindaiwa will provide powerful performance for many years. All these models offer padded backrests and shoulder straps for comfortable wear and include brand-specific features as well.
Stihl’s blowers are considered some of the best on the market, and their engines are designed for low fuel emissions. All the controls are located on one comfortable handle, and most models feature a foot pad to help with starting. Some also include noise-reduction technology.
Echo blowers consistently receive high reviews and are easy to use. Echo’s ProFire ignitions make starting quick and easy. Echo’s backpack blowers all have a cruise-control feature and are also available with either tube-mounted or hip-mounted throttles, so you can choose the design that works best for you.
Redmax blowers offer variable speed cruise-control throttles, and most models use low-emission Strato-Charged engines. The back pads on Redmax blowers are designed to help keep the operator cool by blowing air from the fan toward the operator They also feature wide-sweep elbow rotation to allow for the best maneuverability even in cold weather. A Fresh Flow air system helps keep engines safe from dust.
Shindiawa blowers are among the most powerful on the market and include ergonomic comfort features on the straps, back pad, and handles. In addition, some models feature a “hush mode” for low-noise areas. Others include a sensor to keep the blower from overheating if it gets clogged with leaves.
Best Overall Blower
It’s hard to answer which backpack blower is the best overall. The blower which meets your needs best is going to vary depending on what your specific needs are. That said, Popular Mechanics’ 2021 “The Best Backpack Leaf Blowers” does recommend one blower that stands out from the rest.
In Popular Mechanics’ tests of how well different blowers perform against leaves, sawdust, and other yard debris, they rated Stihl BR 800 Magnum the best. This blower out-performed others in terms of both power—it can even move a brick across pavement—and ease of starting. The only downside is that it’s a loud blower. The Echo PB-9010T also ranks highly on Popular Mechanics’ list.
For homeowners with large yards or professionals who need to get the job done quickly and efficiently, the power of a backpack blower helps get yard clearing out of the way so you can move on to other tasks. If you have questions about which blower is right for you, or want to try on different models in person, come see us at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower.
